Method of and machine for wrapping enclosures within envelopes



April 1937- A. A, BALLATORE I 2,077,658

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR WRAPPING ENCLOSURES WITHIN ENVELOPES Filed May 17, 1935 10 Sheets-Sheet l A. A. BALLATORE METHOD OFAND MACHINE FOR WRAPPING ENCLOSURES WIVTHIN ENVELOPES April 20, 1937.

Filed May 17, 1935 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 oOO " 1 V6777 JP FOP/YE) &

I April 20, 1 7- A. A. BALLATORE METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR WRAPPING ENCLOSURES WITHIN ENVELOPES IO Sheets-Sheet 3 {Filed May 1955 OOOOG A no R/(EX A. A. BALLATORE A ril 20, 1937.

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR WRAPPING ENCLOSURES WITHIN ENVELOPES Filed May 17, 1935 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 April ,1937. A. A. BALLATORE 2,077,658

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR WRAPPING ENCLOSURES WITHIN ENVELOPES Filed May 17, 1935 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 1937- A. A. BALLATORE 2,077,658

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR WRAPPING ENCLOSURES WITHIN ENVELOPES April 20, 1937. A. A. BALLATORE 2,077,658

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR WRAPPING ENCLOSURES WITHIN ENVELOPES Filed May 17, 1935 10 Sheets-Sheet a April 20, 1937- A. A. BALLATORE METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR WRAPPING ENCLOSURES WITHIN ENVELOPES 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 I 'Filed May 17, 1935 April 20, 1937. V T RE 2,077,658-

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR WRAPPING ENCLOSURES WITHIN ENVELOPES Filed May 17, 1935 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Fig. 15.

Patented Apr. 20, 1 937 UNITED STATES METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR WRAPPING ENCLOSURES WITHIN ENVELOPES Anthony Angelo Ballatore, 1)ownend, near Bristol, England Application May 17, 1935, Serial No. 22,120 In Great Britain May 23, 1934 27 Claims.

This invention relates to a methodof and machines for placing enclosures such as letters or circulars (hereinafter referred to simply as enclosures) in envelopes.

5 According to this invention, an envelope .blank is taken in the flat to a folding station ready to receive the enclosure which is laid upon the envelope blank and thereafter the envelopeblank is folded upon'and over the enclosure and, if desired,

may be sealed, and removed ready :for address- Generally the enclosures require to be folded before being placed in the envelopes, in which case mechanism is provided for folding the enclosures 1.7 and placing them on the envelope blanks before the same are folded.

The whole mechanism for performing the operations is automatic.

By means of the machine circulars and such like can be quickly folded, placed in envelopes,

closed and removed ready for addressing.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein- 25 Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine in accordance with the invention, the lower mechanism being omitted for clearness.

Figs. 2 to 5 are sectional elevations respectively on the lines II-II; III-III; IV-IV and V V 30 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an inverted plan showing the mechanism underneath the envelope folding table.

Fig. '7 is a sectional elevation on the line VIIVII of Fig. 6.

35 Fig. 8 is a part side elevation of the envelope folding station.

Fig. 9 is a part plan view on the level IX-IX Fig. 2, but showing parts in front of the plane in which Fig. 2 is takenin Fig. 1.

40 Fig. 10 is a detail view of the folding mechanism.

Figs. 11 and 12 show respectively the envelope blank and the finished envelope.

Figs. 13, Hand 15 showa modified envelope and 45 former therefor.

Fig. '16 is a sectional view on the line XVI-XVI of Fig. 1 showing the mechanism for reciprocating the enclosure folding mechanism.

Referring to Fig. 1, A denotes the machine 50 frame, B the enclosure supply station, C the enclosure-folding station, D the envelope folding station, E the envelope blank supply station and F the folded envelope and enclosure delivery station. v

155 'iA-s shown in Figs. 1 and 3 theenclosures H are stacked in a casing 2 upon a base plate 3 attached to a vertical rack 4 engaging a pinion 5 on shaft 6 on which is also mounted a ratchet wheel-1 engaged by two spring-urged pawls 8, 8 PawlB is pivoted on bell crank 9 having a slotted arm 9 engaged by pin ID on link II which is pivoted at the top to an arm I2 (see also Fig. 1) .ccnnected to shaft l3 carrying the air suction head M which has two suction orifices I-5, the head I4 being connected by a flexible pipe I4 to a suction pump [6 (see especially Fig. 4). The pump comprises a spring-urged movable cylinder adapted to be moved .up and down by the cam-operated rocker arm I8, the cam being mounted on the main cam shaft |9 extending across the machine. The lower end of lever H (Fig. 3) is pivotally connected to a pivoted lever operated by cam 2| on a secondary camshaft 22 connected by chain (Fig. 1) to the main shaft IS. The cam 2| osci-llates the lever 20 which, through link I I, causes the suction head M to descend and lift an enclosure, :the timing of cams 2| and the pumpoperating cam being such that the pump is operated to cause suctionwhen the head His lowered. At the same time the bell crank 9 is oscillated and thus feeds up the blanks H automatically through the pawl 8 ratchet and rack 4. The feed may also be manually adjusted by a hand wheel (not shown) on shaft 6..

The mechanism for transferring the enclosures H to thefolding station C is shown best in Fig. 2 and comprises a fixed guide 2| with a dovetail channel 22 in which slides an arm 23 formed at its end into the upper jaw 24. .The lower jaw 24 is formed on the end of lever 25 which is pivoted inone of the series of holes 26 in the arm 23 and has :a pin and slot connection at 21 with the channel lever 28 which is pivoted at 29 to the guide 2|. The lever 28 has an arm 30 which passes'down through a hole 3| in the guide 2| and engages the roller 32 mounted at one end of a centrally pivoted rocking lever 33 having a similar roller at its other end engaging the cam 34 on shaft IS. The arm 23 and associated parts are reciprocated to and fro between the full line position shown in Fig. 2 to the chain dotted position by means of a cam 35 having a cam groove 36 in which engages the roller 31 on the lever 38 pivoted on a cross rod 39 and attached at its upper end by a link 40 to the arm 23 through one of the holes 26. The channel lever 28 is normally pulled down on to the guide 2| by the tension spring 41 so that the lower jaw 24 is forced up into contact with the upper jaw 24. However, just prior to coming into the position shown in full lines the lower jaw is caused to lower by the rise 34 on cam 34 and is then allowed to rise when it reaches the position shown and grip an enclosure H which has just been lifted by the head I4. Similarly just prior to reaching the chaindotted position shown in Fig. 2 the rise 34 on cam 34 causes the lower jaw to fall and leave the enclosure H at the folding station C.

The folding mechanism at the folding station comprises (see Figs. 1, 2, and 10) a thin horizontal base plate 4| of rectangular shape mounted upon a sleeve 42 fixed upon the vertical shaft 43 which is bent at 90 and passes through the guide sleeve 44 (Fig. 1) fixed on the frame A.

F Plates 4I and 45 of the same size and shape as plate 4| are hinged to either side of the latter, all three plates having a curved cut-away 45. A thin plate 46, also having a cut-away 45 and of the same size and shape as plate 4|, is mounted on a sleeve 4! which is slidably mounted on rod 43 but prevented from rotating thereon and is provided with a horizontal extension 48 which passes through a hole in the top end of a bar 49 slidably mounted in vertical guides 56 and hav- 7 ing a pin at its lower end engaging slot in the lever 52. Said lever is pivoted at 53 and provided with a downwardly extending arm 54 carrying a roller 55 engaging cam 56 on shaft I9. A plate 571 is attached to the sleeve 42 and carries two pins 58 serving as the pivots for beak-shaped levers 59 and 59 having closed slots 66, 66 in the lower arms and open slots 6|, 6| in the upper arm, said latter slots being engaged respectively by the pins 62, 62 on the plates 4I=-, 4I The slot 66 of lever 59 is engaged by cross pin 63 on the forked lever 64 which is pivoted on cross bar 65 and is connected by link 66 to lever 61 which is pivoted on cross rod 68 and carries a roller 69 engaging cam I6 mounted on secondary shaft 22 which also carries the previously described cam 2| for operating the enclosure-feed. The slot 66 of lever 59 is similarly engaged by the cross pin II extending between the arms of the forked lever 12 which is pivoted on a short shaft I3 attached to a gable of the frame A. The lever I2 is connected by link 14 to a lever "I5 pivoted on cross rod 39 and carrying a roller 16 engaging a cam I1 on shaft I 9. Spring 76 and E9 serve to keep the rollers 16 and 69 in contact with the respective cams and to urge the mechanism into the position indicated in Fig. 2.

The folding mechanism above described acts as follows:

When the grippers reach the chain dotted position as shown in Fig. 2, the jaws release the enclosure which at the same time is clamped down upon the plate 4| by the plate 46 which, by virtue of the sharp fall 56 on the cam 56, is allowed to descend by gravity or spring and so clamp the enclosure substantially as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 from which it will be seen that the width of the enclosure is about three times the width of the plate 46. At the same time cam 16 commences to move lever 61 to the right (in Fig.

' 2) against the spring 19 and thereby cause lever 59 to act on the plate 4I and turn the latter through 180 and fold the right hand third of the enclosure onto the top of plate 46 (see Fig. Then the cam 71 comes into action and, in a like manner, the left hand third of the enclosure is folded over by plate 4I onto plate 4| which has been previously folded over. Thus the enclosure is folded into three plies separated by the thin plates 46 and M and all lying between the plates 4| and M The pins 62, 62

are relatively close to the hinge axes of the plates 4I 4I so that the relatively limited angular movement of the levers 59, 59 is sufficient to cause said pins to move inwards past, and around, the hinge axes and cause the plates 4I 4| to pass through a magnified angular movement of 180.

The mechanism for feeding the envelope blanks which is more particularly shown in Fig. 5 comprises a container 86 shaped to correspond with the envelope blanks G which as shown in Fig. 11 comprise a central part with two end flaps GI, G4 and two side flaps G3 and G2 which may be separated from the central part by two folding creases G5 and G6. The container has a vertical cut-away 8| through which the end flaps G4 of the blanks G project. The container 89 is supported on the frame A by a U-shaped bracket 83 and the blanks G are supported by a base plate 84 which has the same shape as the blanks and is carried by a rod 85 slidably mounted in suitable bearings not shown. The base plate is vertically adjustable to feed up the blanks and this is preferably achieved in known manner as, for example, by mechanism similar to that shown for feeding up the enclosures. The blank transferring mechanism comprises a stencil gummer 66 having a rubber gummer 81 underneath, of the shape indicated by dotted shade lines in Fig. l. The gummer 86 is attached to a channelled slide member 88 embracing a horizontal guide bar 89 to which is attached a vertical bar 96 sliding in a channelled guide 9| supported on a cross rod 92. The slide 88 is attached by a link 93 to a lever 94 which is pivoted on the cross rod 95 and carries a roller 96 engaging the cam track 91 of a cam 98 mounted on the shaft I9. The vertical bar 96 carries at its lower end a pin 99 engaging a slot I66 in a lever |6I which is pivoted to the frame A and carries a roller I62 engaging a cam I63 on shaft I9.

When roller I62 is in engagement with the fall I64 of cam I63 thegummer 86 descends to its lowest position and gums the blank as indicated by shade lines in Fig. 11. On further rotation of the cam, in the direction indicated, the gummer 86 is lifted together with the blank G and remains at the same height during the concentric part I65 of the cam I63. While the rod 69 is held in the high position the gummer is quickly transferred to the left by the fall I66 of cam 96 operating on the roller 96 of lever 94. Before the end of this transferring movement the fall I6! of cam comes into operation so that the gummer is lowered and places the blank G on the enclosing station table where it is retained by mechanism described later, this position of the blank G being denoted by chain dotted lines in Fig. 1. The gummer is then rapidly returned partially by the rise I68 and then caused to dwell for a period by the concentric part I69, the purpose of this dwell being explained later. The remainder of the return motion is effected by the rise I69 and during this part of the return the abrupt rise N6 of cam I 6'! raises the gummer 86 to a height which permits the gummer 61 to roll over and receive gum from the gumming roller III which revolves in a gum tank I I2 and is driven by chain I I2 from the main shaft I9.

The envelope blank G is left at the enclosing station D just as the plate 4 I is being folded over. As the plate 4| is being folded over the folding mechanism commences to move towards the enclosing station D, this movement being imparted by cam II3 (Fig. 9) on shaft II4 driven from shaft I9 by bevel gearing II 5. The cam is engaged by roller II6 on lever II1 which is pivoted at its lower end on bracket I I8 attached to frame A. The lever is'connected by link II9 toa collar I (Fig.- 2) clamped on the end of rod I2I which is attached to the bottom of rod 43 and engages a slotted transverse guide I22 bolted to the frame A. The guide together with the sleeve 44 (Fig. l) constitute the guides for the folding mechanism during its transverse motion, the cross members H; 63 and rod 48 permitting this movement without disassociating the plates 4|,

4I 4I and 46 from their respective control mechanisms. 1

Referring now to the enclosing station which is more particularly shown in Figs. 1, 6, '1 and 8, it comprises a square table I23 having two T- shaped openings I24 and a substantially rectangular opening I25. As will be seen from Fig. 6 there are three parallel shafts I30, I3I and I32, the first of which is driven from the main shaft I9 by a chain engaging sprocket wheel I33 and sprocket Wheel I33 in shaft I9 (Fig. 9). The three shafts are interconnected by gearing I34.

After the blank G has been brought in flat condition to the enclosing or envelope-folding station D as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1,

it is clamped in position by two rubber tipped fingers I26 attached to shaft I21 which is mounted in bearings I28,'the fingers I26 being normally urged downwards by torsion springs I29. The fingers are controlled by cam I35 (see Fig. 8) co-operating with a roller follower I36 on lever I31 which ispivoted at I38 to adepending flange I39 and connected at the other end by a link I40 to one of the fingers. The cam is mounted on shaft I3I and its shape is such that during about half of a revolution the fingers I26 grip the blank.

When the folding mechanism has been fully traversed across to the enclosing station D as shown in Fig. 16 the projecting end of the folded enclosure H is clamped'down (the cutaway permitting this) on to the envelope blank G by means of clamp plate I4I (see Fig. '7) slidably mounted in a horizontal brass guide I42 which has a depending rod I 43 sliding in a sleeved bracked I44 and connected at its lower end to a lever I45 pivoted on the bracket I46 and carrying a roller adapted to engage a cam I41 attached to one of the gear wheels. A tension spring I48 is attached to the end of the lever I45. As shown in Fig. 1 the clamp I4I has a depending pin I49 which engages in a slotted lever I50 which is pivotally connected at I5I to the table I23 and provided with a torsion spring I51. The lever I 50 is connected by a link I52 to a slightly curved lever I53 pivoted at I54 and carrying a roller I55 engaging the edge cam I56 on shaft I30. The action of the-clamping member MI is that the guide I42 is raised by means of the cam I41 and while in the raised position the edge cam I56 allows the levers I53 and I50 to move under the influence of the torsion spring I51 and thus move the clamp I32 outwardly as indicated in chain dotted lines in Fig. '1. Then'an abrupt fall on cam I41 comes into action and the guide I42 and clamp I4I snap down suddenly under the action of spring I48. The rising of the guide I42 with the clamp MI in the inner position lifts up the flap G1 of the envelope around the knife edge I58 on the gunnner 86, said knife edge being positioned next to the guide I42 for this purpose during the previously mentioned dwell in the return movement of the gummer and associated mechanism. The knife edge I58 is removed before the guide I42 snaps down, its place being taken by the end of the folded enclosure H which is coming across and ultimately arrives at the position as indicated in Fig. 7 and which serves to keep the envelope blank G fiat on the table while the now emerging clamp I4I further folds the flap G1 over and then quickly clamps it down over the end of the folded enclosure.

After the clamping action the cam II3 quickly returns the enclosure-folding mechanism to the folding station and during this return the cams 11 and 10 (Fig. 2) unfold the plates 4I and 4I= I and the cam 56 raises the plate 46 to allow the jaw 24, 24 to shoot through again and seize another enclosure.

After the envelope flap G and the folded enclosure have been clamped'down the clamp MI is quickly withdrawn and the guide I42 moved down with its top flush with the table I23 and one of the thin formers or carriers I59 of a turret mechanism descends, said mechanism as shown in Figs. 1, 6 and 7 comprising a hollow vertical sleeve I 60 slidable in an outer ring I19 in a bearing IBIattached to the table I23 and having four pairs of lugs I62 at its top to which links I63 are pivoted, being pinned at their lower ends to spaced lugs I64 on the formers I59. A flanged collar I65 is grub-screwed to the lower end of sleeve I60 and its flange is engaged by a rocker lever I66 pivoted on shaft I61 mounted on bracket I68 which also serves to bear the ends of shafts I3I and I32. The other end of the lever engages a cam I69 which is similar in shape to cam I 35 Fig. 8. A vertical shaft I10 is slidably located inside the sleeve I60 and is connected by links I1I to four clamp levers I12 piv- The I59 are hinged at I18 to the ring I19 mounted in bearing I6! and having a maltese cross I (Fig. 6) formed at its lower end adapted to be engaged by roller I8I on the circular disc I82 whose circumference is adapted to fit into the arcuate parts I80 of the cross and hold same stationary when the roller is out of contact with the cross. The disc I 82 is driven by bevel gearing from shaft I32. Each engagement of the roller I8I with the cross rotates the same in known manner through 90 so that each former I59 takes the place of the preceding one.

After the foldedenclosure H and blank G have been pressed down by the former i555 as previously described the projecting side flaps G2 and.

G3 (see Figs. 1 and 8) are folded over by the folding mechanism which consists of two T- shaped members I83, I83 of which I88 is provided with spaced ridges I84 to prevent the nose of the T-folder from removlng the gum from flapGz. Said T-folders are slidably mounted in guides I85 each having a depending rod E86 sliding in a fixed sleeve I81 and pin-and-slotoonnected at its lower end to lever ass pivoted on shaft I89 and which carries a roller I90 engaging cam I9I. A tension spring. I92 connected to lever I88 normally urges the rod 586 upwards. The folders I83, I 83 each have a downward projection I93 connected by a link I94 to a lever I95 pivoted on shaft I89 and carrying aroller engag- Zing cam I96. The corresponding mechanism for folder I83 and its guide I85 is not shown in Fig. 8 but is the same as the mechanism shown except that the rise on the corresponding cam is broader and thus the folder I83 is actuated before I83. The cams I9I allow the guides I85 to rise under the influence of the springs I92 and then the -cam I96 and the corresponding cam not shown respectively move the folders into the centre of the former I59 against the action of the springs I91. As previously mentioned the folder I 83 slightly leads the folder I83 since it has to fold the flap G3 underneath the gummed flap G2. As will be seen from Fig. 8 the cam I96 (also the cam not shown) are shaped so as to give a rapid motion to the folders, particularly on the return movement, the reason being to allow the clamp levers I12 to descend quickly before the flaps G2, G3 have time to spring up. The levers I12 are allowed to descend under gravity or spring by an abrupt fall in the cam I11 (Fig. 6) and thus the longitudinal seam between the flaps is pressed down. The cam I69 (Fig. 6) then comes into action, raising the sleeve I60 and thus the formers I59 are lifted up about their hinges to about an angle of 45, the clamp levers I12 also being lifted. The former I59 over which the flaps G2 and G3 have been folded lifts the envelope and folded circular with it. Then the pin I8I 'engages the maltese cross I82 and the whole turret assembly is rotated through in the direction indicated by the arrow X in Fig. l, the former or carrier I59 with the envelope and circular being turned round into alignment .with withdrawal and folding jaws to be described. The cam I09 then allows the sleeve I60 to fall together with the formers I59, the cam I11 in the meantime coming into action and preventing the clamping levers I12 also falling, the relative movement of sleeve and rod I10 being permitted by the pin and slot connection I60 (Fig. '1). The former I59 now at the envelope folding mechanism has the next envelope folded round it in the manner previously described.

The withdrawing mechanism is shown most clearly in Fig. 4 and comprises a lower jaw I98 formed on a horizontal bar I 99 slidable in a channelled guide 200 mounted on a bracket 20I. The upper jaw 202 is formed on a lever 203 pivoted to the bar I99. The lateral movement of the jaws I98 and 202 is controlled by a cam track 204 in which engages a roller 205 on lever 206 pivoted at its lower end on the cross rod 39 and attached at its upper end to a link 201 pivoted to the bar I99. The opening and closing movement of the jaws is controlled by a cam 208 engaging a roller 209 on the lever 2I0 which is pivoted to a bracket 2 and connected to a link 2I2 connected to one end of a channelled guide 2 I3 pivoted to a bracket 2. The guide 2I3 is engaged by a roller 2I5 on the end of lever 203. The jaws are urged to the closed position by a tension spring 2I6. In action the jaws are moved forward by the cam 204 (which together with the cam 203 is driven by main shaft I9) towards the left in Fig. 4 and at the same time the jaw 202 is raised by the rise on cam 208. A dwell then occurs in the forward movement and when the former I59 with the envelope G thereon falls into horizontal position the gummed flap G4 contacts with and is folded up by the top jaw 202 as indicated in chain dotted lines in Fig. 4, which together with the lower jaw is then moved quickly forward and closed to fold down the gummed flap G4 and seize the end of the envelope. The jaws with the envelope are thenrapidly withdrawn and ;towards the end of the return movement the jaws are opened slightly by the cam 20B and the envelope with folded enclosure is ejected by the ejector prongs 2I1 which engage in the slots 2I8 in the jaws (Fig. 1) and is delivered by the chute The finished product is therefore as shown in Fig. 12 an envelope with the side flaps G2, G3 folded and joined down the longitudinal seam and the end flap G4 gummed down on top of said side flaps while the other-end flap G1 is folded inside, the enclosure being folded in three plies downward projections 22I which enter between the prongs and press down the gummed parts X, Y and so close the envelope. This type of former and clamp lever can be used also for producing the envelope as shown in Fig. 13, that is, with one end open.

Where the enclosure (which term includes booklets and the like) are of appreciable thickness or of a springy nature the long seam clamping levers I12, 220 may be electrically heated by means of resistance elements or the like to ensure that the seam dries quickly.

As shown, the delivery station F is arranged at 90 from the envelope folding station D but it will be understood that it could be arranged at or 270. In a high speed machine this would give greater time for drying of the seams.

The envelope blank folders I83, I83 are placed far enough apart in their outer positions to accommodate the broadest envelope contemplated, it being possible to fold narrower envelopes without adjustment of these folders because the seam is made centrally.

The turret mechanism may comprise a greater number than four formers I 59 and associated parts. With a greater number a longer drying period could be obtained.

Preferably the folding mechanism for the enclosures is made readily detachable so that it may be easily replaced by mechanism suitable for enclosures of a different size. In like manner the enclosure and envelope containers, the envelope formers and the stencil gummer are preferably arranged so as to be readily detachable or adjustable.

An alternative arrangement to the above described envelope blank supply and gumming arrangement consists of an attachment which can replace the said arrangement. The attachment comprises a paper roll from which the paper strip is intermittently drawn by a pair of intermittently driven feed rolls. The strip then passes through a further pair of similarly driven rolls of which the upper carries a gumming stencil which is gummed by a gum roller mounted on a gum dish. The gummed strip is cut by a male and female die press which is operated in synchronism with the feed rollers by timed eccentric or cam means and the knives of which are the shape of the blank. An oval or other suitably shaped knife is provided at the centre of the dies in the case of window envelopes. The, knives carry small projections which project slightly beyond the knives and fitinto corresponding grooves in the other element of the .die, the purpose being to provide the creases whereby folding of the side andend blanks is facilitated. Small stripper fingers maybe provided to push away the waste paper. The punching or cutting out station may be two or more cycles (blanks) from the gumming stage in order claimed in the following claims:-

'In the following claims the term enclosure includes letters, circulars, booklets and the like which may be placed in envelopes.

What I claim is:

1. A machine for wrapping enclosures within envelopes comprising means for conveying an envelope blank to an'envelope folding station;

means for conveying an enclosure to said station, folding means for folding the blank around the enclosure to form an envelope with enclosure therein said folding means for the blank including a carrier at said station for the foldedblank and enclosure and means for removing said carrier with the envelope and enclosure thereon to a delivery station.

2. A machine for wrapping enclosures within envelopes comprising means for' conveying an envelope blank to an envelope foldingstation, means for folding an enclosure, means for conveying the folded enclosure to said station, folding means for folding the blank around the enclosure to form an envelope with enclosure therein said folding means for the blank including a carrier at said station for the folded blank and enclosure and means for removing said carrier with the envelope and enclosure V delivery station.

3. A machine for wrapping enclosures within envelopes comprising means for feeding en-' closures, folding mechanism for said enclosures,

means for conveying same'to said mechanism,'

4. A machine for wrapping enclosures within envelopes, formed from blanks consisting'of side and end flaps and a face portion, comprising means for folding enclosures, means for gumming an end and side flap of an envelope blank, means for conveying said blank to a folding station, means for retaining the blank there, means for conveying the folded enclosure to said station, means for folding the ungummed end flap over said folded enclosure and retaining same, former means adapted to rest on said enclosure andv blank, folding members for foldingthe side flaps over said former, means for transferring the thereon to a former with the blank thereon, means for folding over the gummed end flap and means for withdrawing the envelope with the enclosure therein from said former.

5. A machine for wrapping enclosures within envelopes, formed from blanks consisting of side and. end flaps and a face portion, comprising means for feeding enclosures, folding mechanism therefor, means for conveying enclosures from said feed means to said mechanism, means for gumming an end and side flap of an envelope blank, meansfor conveying said blank to a folding station, means for retaining the blank there, means for conveying the folded enclosure to said station, means for folding the ungummed end flap over said folded enclosure and retaining same, a. former adapted to rest on said enclosure and blank, folding members for folding the side flaps over said former, clamp means for clamping the side flap seam down on the former, means for transferring the former with the blank there--'v on, means for folding over the gummed end flap and means for withdrawing the envelope with the enclosure therein from said former.

6. Amachine for wrapping enclosures within envelopes formed from blanks consisting of side and end flaps and a face portion, comprising means for feeding enclosures, folding mechanism therefor, means for conveying enclosures from said feedrneans to said mechanism, means for gumming an end flap, the outer edge of a side flap and the top ends remote from the gummed end .flap of the side flaps, means for conveying said blank to a folding station, means for retaining the blank there, means for conveying the folded enclosure to said station, means for folding the ungummed end flap oversaid folded enclosure and retaining same, former means adapted to rest on said enclosure and blank, folding members for folding the side flaps over said former, clamp means adapted to clamp down on the side flap seam and on the gummed ends of said flaps, means for transferring the former with the blank thereon, means for folding over the gummed end blank and means for withdrawing the envelope with the enclosure therein from said former.

'7. For a machinefor forming postal envelopes around their enclosure a removable folding mechanism comprising a thin central plate, two similar wing plates hinged to opposite sides thereof, a I

lar wing plates hinged to opposite sides thereof,

a vertically reciprocable top former plate arranged above-said central plate, a cut-away in the ends of said plates, cam means for raising and lowering said top plate and cam means for folding said wing plates in quick succession inwards to foldan enclosure into three plies round said former plate.

9. A machine for forming envelopes around their enclosures comprising means for conveying an envelope blank to a folding station, means for depositing an enclosure on said blank, folding mechanism for folding and forming the envelope blank around said enclosure and a former in position, means for raising and lowering said former and means for transferring same in stages to different radial positions, and gripper means at a subsequent stage for gripping and removing the envelope and its enclosure from the former.

10. A machine for forming envelopes around their enclosures comprising means for conveying an envelope blank to a folding station, means for depositing an enclosure on said blank, folding mechanism for folding and forming the envelope blank around said enclosure and a former in position, a turret mechanism comprising a plurality of such formers disposed radially, means for raising and lowering said formers and means for rotating the formers in stages between each raising and lowering movement to different radial positions, gripping means at a subsequent stage or position of the former for gripping and stripping said envelope and enclosure from the former.

11. A machine for forming envelopes around their enclosures comprising means for conveying an envelope blank to a folding station, means for depositing an enclosure on said blank, folding mechanism for folding and forming the envelope blank around said enclosure and a former in position; a turret assembly comprising a plurality of such formers in radial assembly, means for raising and lowering said formers, means for rotating the formers in stages between each raising and lowering movement to different radial positions, clamp members attached to said formers for clamping the folded envelope and means for raising and lowering said clamps and gripping means at a subsequent position of the former for gripping and stripping said envelope and enclosure from the blank.

12. A machine for forming envelopes around their enclosures comprising means for conveying an envelope blank to a folding station, means for depositing an enclosure on said blank, folding mechanism for folding and forming the envelope blank around said enclosure and a former in position, a turret assembly comprising a plurality of such formers hinged to a ring member, an inner sleeve within said ring, link means connecting said formers and said sleeve, cam means for raising and lowering said sleeve, a clamp member hinged to each former, a vertical rod within said sleeve, means connecting said clamp member and said rod, cam means for raising and lowering said rod and means for rotating the formers in stages so that a former assumes the previous position of the preceding former; and gripping means at a subsequent position of the former for gripping and stripping said envelope and enclosure from the blank.

13. A machine for forming envelopes around their enclosures comprising means for conveying an envelope blank to a folding station, means for depositing an enclosure on said blank, folding mechanism for folding and forming the envelope blank around said enclosure and a fork shaped former in position, a turret assembly comprising a plurality of such formers of fork shape hinged to a ring, an inner sleeve within said ring, means connecting said formers and said sleeve, cam means for raising and lowering said sleeve, a clamp member hinged to each former, projection means on said clamp adapted when the latter is lowered to pass between the forks of the former and seal the end of the envelope, a vertical rod within said sleeve, means connecting said clamp member and said rod, cam means for raising and lowering said rod and means for rotating the formers in stages so that a former assumes the previous position of the preceding former, and gripping means at a subsequent position of the former for gripping and stripping said envelope and enclosure from the blank.

14'. A machine for forming envelopes from blanks consisting of a face portion and side and end flaps around enclosures, comprising enclosure-folding mechanism which comprises a base of hinged plates, a top former plate timed to fall and hold an enclosure, and means for turning the hinged plates to fold the enclosure round said former plate; means for traversing the folding mechanism as a whole towards envelope folding mechanism which comprises means for folding over an end flap of the blank and retaining the folded enclosure, a plurality of radially arranged formers, folding members for folding the side flaps round a former and means for rotating the former with the envelope thereon to another position opposite gripping means which comprises jaws for folding over the end flap, gripping the envelope and stripping same together with the enclosure from the former.

15. A machine for forming. envelopes from blanks consisting of a face portion and side and end flaps around enclosures, comprising enclosure-folding mechanism which comprises a thin central plate, two similar wing plates hinged to opposite sides thereof, a vertically reciprooable top former plate arranged above said central plate, means for raising and lowering said top plate, means for folding said wing plates successively inward to fold an enclosure into three plies and means for moving said folding mechanism as a whole towards envelope folding and transferring means which comprises a turret assembly including radially arranged formers, means for rotating said formers from a folding station to a removing station, vertically and laterally movable clampmeans at said folding station for folding over an end flap of the blank and clamping the folded circular, folding members for folding the side flaps over the former; and gripping means at the removing station for folding over an end flap and removing said envelope and enclosure.

16. A machine for forming envelopes from blanks consisting of a face portion and side and end flaps around enclosures, comprising enclosure-folding mechanism which comprises a thin central plate, two similar wing plates hinged to opposite sides thereof, a vertically reciprocable top former plate arranged above said central plate, a cut-away in the ends of said plates, cam means for controlling vertical movement of said top plate and cam means for folding said wing plates successively inwards through to fold an enclosure into three plies cam means for traversing said folding mechanism as a whole towards envelope folding and transferring means comprising a turret assembly including radially arranged formers, means for rotating said formers from a folding station to a removing station, clamp means at said folding station for folding over an end flap of the blank and clamping the folded enclosure and folding members for folding the side flaps over the former; and gripping means at the removing station for folding over and removing said envelope and enclosure.

17. A machine for forming envelopes around enclosures tobe enclosed thereby fro-m blanks consisting of side and end flaps and a face portion, comprising folding mechanism which comprises a base of hinged plates, a top former plate timed to fall and hold an enclosure on said base, and means for turning the hinged plates through to foldthe enclosure round said former plate and means for traversing the folding mechanism as a whole with the folded enclosure, means for conveying enclosures to said mechanism, means for gumming an end and side flap of an envelope blank, means for conveying said blank toa folding station, means for retaining the blank there, means for folding the ungummed end flap over said folded enclosure when traversed and retaining same, former means adapted to rest on said enclosure and blank, folding members for folding the side flaps over said former, means for transferring the former with the blank thereon, means for folding over the gummed end blank and means for withdrawing the envelope with the enclosure therein from said former.

18. A machine for forming envelopes around enclosures to be enclosed thereby from blanks consisting of side and end flaps and a face portion, comprising folding mechanism which comprises a thin central plate,- two similar wing plates hinged to opposite sides thereof, a vertically reciprocable top former plate arranged above said central plate, means for raising and lowering said top plate, means for folding said wing plates successively inward through 180 to fold an enclosure into three plies and means for moving said folding mechanism as a who-1e with the folded enclosure, means for conveying enclosures to said mechanism, means for gumming an end and side flap of an envelope blank, means for conveying said blank to a folding station, means for retaining the blank there, means for folding the ungummed end flap over said folded enclosure and retaining same, former means adapted to rest on said enclosure and blank, folding members for folding the side flaps over said former, means for transferring the former with the blank thereon, means for folding over the gummed end blank and means for withdrawing the envelope with the enclosure therein from said former.

19. A machine for forming-envelopes around enclosures to be enclosed thereby from blanks consisting of side and end flaps and a face portion, comprising folding mechanism which comprises a thin central plate, two similar wing plates hinged to opposite sides thereof, a vertically reciprocable top former plate arranged above said central plate, means for raisin-g and lowering said top plate, means for folding said wing plates successively inward through 180 to fold an enclosure into three plies and means for moving said folding mechanism as a whole with the folded enclosure, a stencil gummer for gumming an end and side flap of an envelope blank, means for moving said gummer with blank to a folding station, means for retaining the blank there, means for folding over the ungummed end flap and gripping the end of the folded enclosure while the folding mechanism recedes, former means adapted to rest on'said enclosure and blank, folding members for folding the side flaps over said former, means for transferring the former with the blank thereon, means for folding over the gummed end blank and means for withdrawing the envelope with the enclosure therein from said former.

20. A machine for forming envelopes around enclosures to be enclosed thereby from blanks consisting of side and end flaps and a face portion, comprising enclosure means for gumming an end and side flap of an envelope blank and conveying it to a folding station, means for retaining the blank there, folding members for said side flaps, a thin former plate, means for raising and lowering said plate and means for raising and inwardly moving said folding members over the former when in a lowered position to fold the side flaps, means for rotating the former in its raised position with the blank thereon opposite to gripping means, the former being lowered and the gummed end flap folded over and seized by said gripping means which retracts the envelope and enclosure.

21. A machine for forming postal envelopes around enclosures to be enclosed thereby from blanks consisting of a face portion and side and end flaps, comprising automatic feed means for the enclosures, gripper jaws for conveying the enclosure to folding mechanism which comprises a thinv central plate, two similar wing plates and side flap of a blank and conveying the blank to a folding station, means for gumming said gummer, cam-operated catch means for retaining the blank at said station, a vertically and horizontally movable clamp for folding the ungummed end flap over said enclosure and thus retaining same, a turret assembly including a plurality. of hinged radial former plates, means for raising and lowering said plates; vertically and horizontally movable folder members for folding the side flaps over the former in the lowered position, a clamp lever connected to each plate for clamping said side flaps, means for raising and lowering said levers, a maltese cross device for rotating said turret assembly when the formers are raised so that the former with the envelope thereon is brought into line with a removing device comprising gripping jaws, cam means for reciprocating said jaws so that when the former falls the gummed end flap is bent up by said jaws, cam means for opening and closing said jaws, and ejector means for ejecting the envelope and enclosure, said last cam means causing the jaws to fold over and gum down the gummed end flap and to release the envelope when the second last cam means moves the jaws towards said ejector means.

22. A machine for forming postal envelopes around enclosures to be enclosed thereby from blanks consisting of a face portion and side and end flaps comprising automatic feed means for the enclosures, gripper jaws for conveying the enclosure to folding mechanism which comprises a thin central plate, two simliar wing plates hinged to opposite sides thereof, a vertically reciprocable top former plate arranged above said central plate, a cut-away in the ends of said plates, cam means for raising and lowering said top plate and cam means for folding said wing plates successively inwards through 180 to fold .an enclosure into three plies and cam means for traversing said folding mechanism as a. whole, a stencil gummer for gumming an end and side flap of a blank and the ends of said side flaps remote from the gummed end flap and conveying the blank to a folding station, means for gumming said gummer, cam-operated catch means for retaining the blank at said station, a vertically and horizontally movable clamp for folding the ungummed end flap over said folded enclosure and thus retaining same, a turret assembly including a plurality of hinged radial formers of fork shape, means for raising and lowering said formers, vertically and horizontally movable folder members for folding the side flaps over a former in the lowered position, a clamp lever connected to each former for clamping said side flaps, means for raising and lowering said levers, projections on said levers adapted to enter between the prongs of said formers and press down the gummed ends of said side flaps, a maltese cross device for rotating said turret assembly when the formers are raised, so that the former with the envelope thereon is brought into line with a removing device comprising gripping jaws, cam means for reciprocating said jaws so that when the former falls the gummed end flap is bent up by said jaws, cam means for opening and closing said jaws, and ejector means for ejecting the envelope and enclosed circular, said last cam means causing the jaws to fold over and gum down the gummed end flap and to release the. envelope when the second last cam means moves the jaws towards said ejector means.

23. A machine for Wrapping enclosures within.

envelopes comprising means for conveying an envelope blank to an envelope folding station, and folding means for folding the blank around the enclosure to form an envelope with enclosures therein, former means at said station round which the blank is folded and means for removing said former means with the envelope and enclosure thereon to a delivery station.

24. A machine for wrapping enclosures within envelopes comprising means for conveying an envelope blank to an envelope folding station, means for folding an enclosure, means for conveying the folded enclosure to said station and folding means for folding the blank around the enclosure to form an envelope with enclosure therein, former means at said station round which the blank is folded and means for removing said former means with the envelope and enclosure thereon to a delivery station.

25. A machine for wrapping enclosures within envelopes comprising means for feeding enclosures, folding mechanism for said enclosures, means for conveying said enclosures to said mechanism, means for gumming and conveying an envelope blank to a folding station, retaining means for holding the blank there, means for conveying said folded enclosure to said station, retaining means for holding the enclosure there on said blank and means for folding and forming the blank around the enclosure to give an envelope with the enclosure therein, former means at said station round which the blank is folded and means for removing said former means with the envelope and enclosure thereon to a delivery station.

26. A machine for wrapping enclosures within envelopes comprising means for conveying an envelope blank to an envelope folding station, means for conveying an enclosure to said station, and folding means for folding the blank around the enclosure to form an envelope with enclosure therein, an assembly of circularly spaced carriers for the envelope and enclosure at the folding station, and means for rotating said assembly to remove the carrier at the folding station to a delivery station and for bringing the next carrier into position at the folding station.

27. In a machine for wrapping enclosures spaced formers round one of which the envelope blank at the folding station is folded, and means for rotating said assembly to remove the former at the folding station to a delivery station and for bringing the next former into position at the folding station.

ANTHONY ANGELO BALLATORE. 

